 In this issue: SC State Fair Year Around
ANNUAL SC STATE FAIR APPRECIATION PARTY
The SC State Fair Office Staff, Grounds Staff and seasonal employees gathered on Thursday, December 13 in the Moore Building for its annual Appreciation Party. The festive reunion consisted of a delicious buffet, catered by Doc's Barbecue, followed by an entertaining magic show and announcement of the 2007 Employees of the Year. Since 1991, the SC State Fair has recognized employees who exemplify the ideal Fair employee with the Employee of the Year program. These persons are generally cheerful, helpful, diligent, purposeful, demonstrate goodwill to all, go above and beyond the call of duty, and make the SC State Fair a favorable experience for others. Wood plaques, compliments of Paper Pro, Inc., were presented by Nancy Smith, CFE, Director of Sponsorship & Exhibits, to the following 2007 SC State Fair Employees of the Year recipients. Congratulations to all! Nancy Pitts Betty Reese Robert Hall Guest Services Parking First Aid Grandstand
Photographs by Howard Still, Guest Services Not pictured:
The 138th South Carolina State Fair will go down in history as being one of the best Fairs ever; 480,358 persons came through the gates to enjoy perfect "Fair" weather along with three "sell-out" PEPSI® Grandstand shows, competitions, games of chance and skill, beauty queens, Chinese Drummers, Ferris wheels, clowns, NASCAR Drivers, aerial acrobatics, the Super Slide, racing pigs, robots, Vocal Trash, Steve Trash, local SC school student entertainment and much, much more. Relive your memories of the 2007 SC State Fair and dream of the upcoming 2008 SC State Fair in October as you enjoy the following photos:
THANKS TO 2007 SC STATE FAIR SPONSORS & PARTNERS
We can't say enough good things about our sponsors and partners of the South Carolina State Fair...and we trust the feeling is mutual. We invite you, large or small companies and organizations, to be a part of the most exciting 12 days in South Carolina. As the largest event in the state, with an annual average attendance of 500,000, the fair offers a unique opportunity for companies and organizations to market their products to a statewide audience. A wide variety of partnership opportunities are available, ranging from day sponsor to stage or show sponsor to mobile marketing opportunities. The South Carolina State Fair is also flexible in creating partnerships to meet a sponsor's specific needs and marketing goals. For additional information regarding this opportunity, please contact Nancy Smith at (803) 799-3387, ext 16 or e-mail nancys@scstatefair.org. Come be a part of our 139 year tradition at the 2008 South Carolina State Fair!
2008 SC STATE FAIR ENTERTAINMENT EXHIBITS OCTOBER 8 - 19 Yes, we are already working on entertainment for the 2008 SC State Fair. It's still pretty early but we have already contracted with a new SEA LION exhibit. Log on to the web site at www.scstatefair.org on July 1 for a preview of the 2008 South Carolina State Fair. Be sure to add your e-mail address in the e-Newsletter Box on the home page to receive news and updates from the SC State Fair.
"THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE " — 2008-2009 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
DID YOU KNOW? Fact, The South Carolina State Fair is a non-profit 501-C 3 charitable institution. The majority of South Carolinians don't know that the South Carolina State Fair (a.k.a. The State Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina and responsible for the the establishment of the South Carolina State Fair) is an eleemosynary institution owned and controlled by life members. Contrary to popular belief, the SC State Fair is not affiliated with State Government. The South Carolina State Fair is committed to the education of South Carolina's young adults. In the past decade, the South Carolina State Fair has returned over $3 million to the community through scholarship endowments and grants to non-profit organizations. The SC State Fair Board of Directors annually reviews the scholarship program "The Ride of Your Life" in late January and determines any changes for the upcoming program. Scholarship applications for 2008 public, private and home school seniors will be available on the web site at www.scstatefair.org in mid-February, 2008. Winners of the 2007 South Carolina State Fair scholarship program can be found by clicking on the following link: >>>>> LINK TO 2007 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS <<<<<
FAIR PATRONS LOVED "SMOKE-FREE MIDWAY" IN 2007 We applaud our carnival, North American Midway Entertainment, and their initiative to provide a more pleasurable experience for all our guests at the SC State Fair by introducing a SMOKE-FREE MIDWAY at the 2007 SC State Fair. Be a cool duck and don't smoke. "This year we have introduced a SMOKE-FREE MIDWAY! To maintain a safe and clean work environment and overall appearance on our midways we prohibit any employees from smoking on the midway during operating hours."
Hey Kids!!! (Parents too), check out the Fair Safety Video, "Safe Fun at the Carnival", compliments of our affiliate Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA). This informative and entertaining video can be found at http://www.scstatefair.org/state-fair/video/ along with coloring pages to download.
COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS TRADITION STRONG AT SC STATE FAIR Thanks to the over 3,000 Competitive Exhibitors who registered their entries last August for the 2007 SC State Fair. Interest remains high in the Competitive Exhibit areas and we encourage new exhibitors each year. The Online Premium Guide is available on the web site year round for your convenience, being updated for the upcoming Fair by June 31 of each year. Each year over $215,000 are awarded to competitive exhibitors in premiums alone, as well as ribbons, rosettes, banners, etc. The competitions at the SC State Fair are a great way to show your talents in the arts, agriculture, food, livestock, 4-H and FFA. Interested in being a 2008 SC State Fair Exhibitor? Now is the time to get ready. Become familiar with the Online Premium Guide at http://www.scstatefair.org/competitive-exhibits/. On this page you will find links to all the competitive exhibit departments. Be sure to view the state-of-the-art Online Entry Tutorial which will guide you through the online entry process. 2008 Open Entry Registration begins August 1. You may register your exhibits using either (1) the Online Entry System or (2) print an official entry registration form for the appropriate department and mail to the address listed on the entry form or (3) deliver entry form in person to the SC State Fair Dowling Administrative Building during regular office hours (Monday-Friday) 7:30am - 4:00pm. 2008 Open Entry Registration closes at 4:00 pm on August 31, 2008.
DONKEY / MULE COMPETITIONS TO RETURN TO 2008 SC STATE FAIR After a one year hiatus, plans are underway to have the Donkey/Mule competitions return to the Abernathy Arena at the 2008 SC State Fair. Stay tuned to www.scstatefair.org for additional information. Other scheduled horse events during the 2008 SC State Fair include the Paso Fino exhibition on Thursday, October 9 and the Youth and Open Horse Show on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12.
Currently Scheduled Public Events for January - March, 2008 The SC State Fairgrounds is an ideal setting for many public and private events throughout the year with exception of September and October when we set up for the SC State Fair. The new year brings a flurry of activity to the SC State fairgrounds beginning January 10 with "A Grand Affair" sponsored by the Palmetto Health Alliance in the Cantey Building, the St. Andrews Woman's Club "Bridal Showcase" on January 13 and the " Boat Show 2008" on January 17-20 which will encompass the entire fairgrounds. The pace quickens in February with the Junior League of Columbia "Clean Sweep Sale" on February 2 in the Cantey Building, the "SE Doll & Bear Extravaganza Sweetheart Show & Sale" on Febuary 2 in the Moore Bulding, the SC Recreational Vehicle Show on February 15-17 in the Cantey & Ellison Buildings, the Hammond School Parents Association "Hammond Auction" on February 16 in the Moore Building, the " Stamp & Scrapbook Show" on February 23-24 in the Ellison Building, and the Historic Columbia Foundation "Paladium Society's 10th Annual Chili Cookoff" on February 23 in the Moore Building. Again, we are off and running on March 1-2 with the Mike Kent & Assoc. "Gun Show" in the Cantey Building, the ever-popular Gilmore Enterprises "The Craftsmen's Class Arts & Crafts Festival" on March 7-9 in the Cantey & Ellison Buildings, the "Carolina Classic Home & Garden Show" (entire fairgrounds) on March14-16, and the "Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic" (entire fairgrounds) on March 28-30. Log on to http://www.scstatefair.org/calendar/ for an up-to-date Year-Round Calendar of Events along with Event Promoter contact information. Facility Rental details may be found at http://www.scstatefair.org/throughout-the-year/facility-rentals/index.php. To schedule an event at the fairgrounds, e-mail Tim Wilson or telephone 803.799.3387 ext. 11.
Online applications for RV/Camper parking reservations for events held throughout the year are available at http://www.scstatefair.org/throughout-the-year/rv_information.php. Or click on the Throughout the Year menu tab, and follow the drop-down menu. For more information e-mail Steve Felsberg or telephone 803.799.3387 ext. 22.
NEW IN 2008 USC Football Fans - Reserved Parking in all Lots There will be no General Admission parking on the fairgrounds in 2008. All football parking on the fairgrounds beginning in 2008 will be RESERVED PARKING ONLY. NEW APPLICANTS - 2008 USC Football Reserved Parking applications will be available on January 15, 2008 at http://www.scstatefair.org/throughout-the-year/usc-reserved-parking.php. RENEWALS - Renewal forms for the 2008 season will be mailed to 2007 reserved parking participants on Monday, February 25 and must be received by Friday, March 28. Remaining sites will be filled beginning Saturday, March 29. E-mail Steve Felsberg or telephone 803.799.3387 ext. 22 for more information. GO GAMECOCKS!!!
The SC State Fair e-Newsletter is published four times a year; Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall (FAIR issue). To receive a BLAST reminding you of this quarterly publication, sign up on our home page at www.scstatefair.org by adding your e-mail address in the e-newsletter box. You will be directed to create a User Profile and your name will be added to the databases of your interest, i.e. General Newsletter, Commercial Exhibitor, Football Parking, Scholarships, one of our Competitive Exhibit departments, etc.. Be sure to add our e-mail address, geninfo@scstatefair.org, to your Address Book to insure our e-mail to you is delivered to your Inbox.
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